GREAT BLUE HERON 



194. Ardea herodias. 48 in. 



Adult Blue Herons are very handsome birds, as may 

 be seen in the illustration. Young birds, and nine out 

 of ten that we see will be young birds, are much duller 

 colored and have no plumes. It takes several years 

 for them to attain their perfect plumage. Their nests 

 are placed in the tops of the tallest trees and are, con- 

 sequently, difficult to get at. In some heronries, trees 

 have been found containing as many as 40 nests. In 

 flight, herons always carry their head drawn in against 

 the shoulders, the neck being curved below. 



Nest. A platform of sticks in tall trees in wet woods. 

 3 or 4 pale greenish-blue eggs (2.50x1.50) ; May, June. 



Range. Breeds locally throughout the United States 

 and Canada, either in colonies, or single pairs where 

 they are persecuted as in New England; winters in 

 Southern U. S. 149b. Ward Heron (A. h. wardi) is 

 similar but lighter below and the neck is darker and 

 browner; it abounds in Florida- 



